J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2000 Oct;41(10):2226-2232.

Effects of Vitrectomy on the Clinical Course of Chronic Uveitis

• Kim YC
• Kim KS

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of vitrectomy in the patients with chronic uveitis complicated with vitreous opacity and/or epiretinal membrane formation. We reviewed the records of 23 eyes of 23 patients with recurrent chronic uveitis.Final visual acuity improved in 18 (78.3%)of 23 eyes, unchanged in 3 eyes (13.0%), but decreased in 2 eyes (8.7%).Five eyes showed a reactivation of inflammation after surgery.In 2 eyes of them, the recurrence was so severe to decrease visual acuity.Intraoperative factors which may be associated with the postoperative recurrence were incomplete vitrectomy, no cryotherapy in the peripheral uveitis with neovascularization, and type of uveitis.However the preoperative severity and recurrence rate of the disease were not significant factors in postoperative recurrence. Our results indicate that the chronic recurrent uveitis with poor vision would be a good indication for vitrectomy, and in these cases, complete vitrectomy and combined cryotherapy may result in better prognosis.

Keyword

Cryotherapy; Epiretinal membrane; Uveitis; Vitrectomy; Vitreous opacity

MeSH Terms

Cryotherapy
Epiretinal Membrane
Humans
Inflammation
Prognosis
Recurrence
Uveitis*
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy*